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Presiding judge in ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee's stock manipulation case found dead

Published: 06 May. 2026, 08:56 Updated: 06 May. 2026, 16:30

KIM JI-YE
[email protected]

Kim Keon Hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, attends her first trial at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on Sept. 24, 2025. She had been indicted and detained on charges including stock manipulation involving Deutsche Motors, political interference and taking bribes connected to the Unification Church. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

The presiding judge who handled the appeal trial regarding former first lady Kim Keon Hee's involvement in the Deutsch Motors stock manipulation case was found dead at the Seoul High Court at 1 a.m. on Wednesday.

Judge Shin Jong-oh was found in a flower bed near the Seoul High Court complex in Seocho District, southern Seoul, by police officers who had been dispatched following a report from Shin’s family, according to the Seocho Police Precinct.

He was 55 years old.

A note was discovered on the site, and there was no evidence of foul play, according to police.

Police are investigating the exact cause of death, mainly by interviewing the surviving family, on the assumption that he fell from an upper floor in the court building.

The judiciary was also left in shock, with some saying the heavy workload of handling high-profile trials may have compounded his stress.

Last month, Shin presided over Kim’s appellate trials regarding both her alleged role in manipulating the stock prices of Deutsch Motors and claims that she received money and valuables linked to the Unification Church.

A lower court had acquitted the former first lady of charges related to the stock manipulation scheme, as well as partially acquitted her of charges involving her acceptance of money and valuables linked to the Unification Church, ultimately sentencing her to one year and eight months in prison.

However, the Seoul High Court — led by Shin since the case was assigned to him on Feb. 6 — overturned the lower court’s decision and handed down a heavier ruling on April 28, sentencing Kim to four years in prison and a 50 million won ($34,300) fine.

The Seoul High Court also ordered the confiscation of a Graff necklace worth 62.2 million won, which Kim allegedly received from the church, and an additional forfeiture of 20.94 million won.

If you or someone you know is feeling emotionally distressed or struggling with thoughts of suicide, LifeLine Korea can be contacted at 1588-9191 or the Crisis Counseling Center at 1577-0199. The Seoul Global Center offers English-language counseling. Contact 02-2075-4180 (+1) to arrange a session. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.

Update, May 6: Added details about Shin Jong-oh’s death, the Seoul High Court’s ruling against former first lady Kim Keon Hee and the judiciary’s response.

BY KIM JI-YE [[email protected]]